Last week, Snyder Independent School District Superintendent Bob Rauch announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2025–2026 school year. To ensure stability and continuity of leadership, the Snyder ISD Board of Trustees held a special-called meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, to discuss next steps and name an interim superintendent.
During the meeting, the Board unanimously voted to name Dr. Jessica Gore as Interim Superintendent of Snyder ISD, effective immediately. Dr. Gore has been serving Snyder ISD as Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer and is in her second year with the district.
Prior to joining Snyder ISD, Dr. Gore served as Executive Director of Accountability and School Improvement in Ector County ISD. Campus leadership experience includes serving as principal in Midland ISD and as an assistant principal in Abilene ISD. Earlier in her career, she held district-level instructional leadership roles in Houston ISD and Spring Branch ISD. This combination of experience at the classroom, campus, and district levels positions her well to provide steady leadership and continue the work already underway in Snyder ISD.
The Board also recognized Mr. Rauch for his service and leadership and approved his continued service to the district as Superintendent Emeritus through the end of the school year.
Throughout his tenure, Mr. Rauch provided steady leadership, strengthened recruitment and retention efforts, and guided the district with strong fiscal oversight. His leadership helped establish systems and practices that support long-term planning, responsible financial management, and student success.
“Snyder ISD is in a strong position because of Bob Rauch’s leadership,” said Board President Brad Hinton. “He is known for being steady, honest, approachable, and always keeping students first. We are grateful for his service and appreciate his continued support during this transition.”
Hinton also expressed the Board’s full confidence in Dr. Gore’s leadership.
“The Board selected Dr. Gore because she is the right leader for this moment. We have full confidence in her enthusiasm to lead and her discipline to see the work through,” Hinton said. “I’m impressed by her commitment to investing in training, listening to feedback, and responding to the needs of our campuses. She holds high standards for our district and for our students, and she understands that achieving those standards requires strong support for our teachers.”
Dr. Gore brings diverse experience across classroom instruction, campus leadership, and district-level administration. At Snyder ISD, she has served as Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer, where she has led academic programming, supported campus leaders, and advanced the district’s strategic plan and instructional priorities.
She holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Multicultural and Multilingual Studies from Texas Tech University, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Lamar University, and a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Abilene Christian University.
“I am honored by the Board’s confidence and excited to serve as interim superintendent,” said Gore. This internal transition provides stability and continuity at a time when consistency matters most. I have been directly involved in the district’s instructional, operational, and strategic work, allowing us to move forward without interruption. My commitment is to lead with clarity, remain visible and responsive, and earn the community’s trust through action, not title.”